A Mumbai-based paediatrician was on Tuesday given a $100,000 award by the World of Children Inc at the UNICEF House in New York for her lifelong contributions to children across the globe.
Dr Gopa Kothari received the Cardinal Health Children's Care Award for creating Eye Care Charitable Trust in 1982, and family health, nutrition, treatment and education programmes for children living in urban slums.
The WCI said that as a result of her efforts more than 68,000 children have been protected from preventable blindness, more than 1.3 million women have received health education to protect their children and more than 5,000 Indian children have received non-formal school education.
"The World of Children Award recipients and honouree have gone to extraordinary lengths to change the lives of millions of children around the world," said WC founder Harry Leibowitz.
"They are powerful role models for each of us. As we look at our own lives, I hope their example will remind us that we are all responsible for the futures of our world's children," he said.
WC seeks to honour and inspire action for children by raising global awareness of the plight of children.
It also recognises and honours people who have had profoundly positive effect on the well being of children.
Besides Kothari, Philllista Prudence Minjal Oyyango of Nairobi got a separate award for the same amount of cash prize, the Kellogg's Child Development Award, for her influence on African Child Advocacy and legislation.
The 2004 winners were selected by the World of Children's International Advocacy Council, led by boxing legend and UN ambassador of Peace Muhammad Ali.
Kothari, who has impacted other cities in India, including New Delhi and parts of Gujarat and has guided a similar programme in Lima, Peru, was appointed to the World Health Organisation Expert Advisory panel on public health administration in 1986.
